Terry Francona loves his relievers, but this is getting ridiculous.
At the start of play June 3, Bryan Shaw, Marc Rzepczynski and Cody Allen ranked 1-2-3 in the American League in appearances. Shaw and Rzepczynski had both appeared in 30 games and Allen had appeared in 29.
That puts all three relievers on a pace to break the Indians’ record for most appearances in a season. The record is 79 games by Bobby Howry in 2005.
Shaw and Rzepczynski are on a pace to appear in 84 games each, and Allen is on a pace for 81.
“I never have the goal for our guys to lead the league in appearances, but we’re there,” Francona said. “Shaw wants desperately to do it, but that’s not one of my goals.”
Francona admits it’s hard for him to stay away from his relievers, especially when he has quality ones who get hitters out.
“They’ll take the ball every day, they’ll say yes. But I need to check myself sometimes,” he said.
Shaw came into the game June 2 and gave up a two-run home run to Xander Bogaerts in the eighth inning, which turned a 3-0 Indians lead into a tense one-run game. After Allen relieved Shaw to pitch the ninth, Francona said to Shaw, “Those are my earned runs.”
That was Francona’s way of acknowledging to Shaw he probably should not have brought the work-thirsty reliever into the game, because it meant Shaw was pitching for the third day in a row.
“I get a lot of anxiety over it,” Francona said. “You’re constantly trying to balance three things: trying to win, knowing it’s a long year and their careers. I want to see all of them break the bank, because they are everything we believe in.”
Swisher update
Starting June 6, the Indians will begin a 10-game, three-city road trip, and at some point during that trip, Nick Swisher will begin a minor-league rehab assignment, according to Francona.
Swisher has been on the disabled list since May 27 with a hyperextended left knee and a right knee that doesn’t feel so great, either.
“It’s not so much for him to get the at-bats, although that helps, but it’s more just to see how he is physically,” Francona said.
Santana update
Carlos Santana will almost certainly be activated before Swisher. Santana has been on the seven-day concussion disabled list since May 27, but he’s getting close to being activated.
“He’s doing really well. His eyes are clear,” Francona said. “He could potentially be activated on (June 6), although he still has to pass all the concussion tests, but he’s doing everything on the field now.”
Notes
At the start of play June 3, among players with at least 150 plate appearances, Lonnie Chisenhall leads the major leagues with a .360 batting average. ... Red Sox pitcher Brandon Workman has been fined and suspended for six games by Major League Baseball for throwing a pitch behind Tampa Bay’s Evan Longoria on May 30. Workman (0-0, 3.24) is appealing the suspension, so he will make his scheduled start at 7:05 p.m. June 4 vs. the Indians’ Corey Kluber (6-3, 3.04).